Extendable golf club separator for a golf bag

ABSTRACT

A golf bag frame divider for a top of a golf bag includes a frame with internal frame members and at least one slotted frame member. The internal frame members and the slotted frame member define a plurality of golf club slots. Each golf club slot receives a different golf club. An ergonomic handled T tab assembly with a slidably adjustable height is disposed adjacent to at least one of the golf club slots. The ergonomic handled T tab assembly includes an ergonomic handle. At least one detent mechanism engages at least one notch to hold the ergonomic handled T tab assembly at a selectable pre-set height above the frame member.

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

The application relates to a golf bag, particularly to a golf bag with slots for individual golf clubs.

BACKGROUND

A golf bag can carry up to the regulation number of 14 golf clubs.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a golf bag frame divider for a top of a golf bag includes a frame with internal frame members and at least one slotted frame member. The internal frame members and the slotted frame member define a plurality of golf club slots. Each golf club slot receives a different golf club. An ergonomic handled T tab assembly with a slidably adjustable height is disposed adjacent to at least one of the golf club slots. The ergonomic handled T tab assembly includes an ergonomic handle. A first outer T tab is mechanically coupled to the ergonomic handle, the first outer T tab having a series of notches along a first outer T tab outer edge. A second outer T tab is mechanically coupled to the ergonomic handle. The second outer T tab has another series of notches along a the second outer T tab outer edge and disposed between the first outer T tab and second outer T tab a plurality of T tabs. At least one detent mechanism engages at least one notch to hold the ergonomic handled T tab assembly at a selectable pre-set height above the frame member.

In one embodiment, the ergonomic handled T tab assembly is adjacent to three of the golf club slots.

In another embodiment, the golf club slots defined between the at least one slotted frame member and an outer frame part of the frame member are adapted to receive a driver golf club.

In yet another embodiment, the at least one notch includes an about half circle shape.

In yet another embodiment, the detent mechanism includes a latching knob.

In yet another embodiment, the latching knob is disposed at an end of a latching arm.

In yet another embodiment, the latching knob includes a plastic.

In yet another embodiment, the detent mechanism includes a latching knob and detent spring assembly.

In yet another embodiment, the detent spring assembly includes a latching arm.

In yet another embodiment, the latching arm includes a double bent latching arm with a latching arm elbow.

In yet another embodiment, at least one of the first outer T tab or the second outer T tab includes an end stop latch to prevent an accidental removal of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly from the slotted frame member.

In yet another embodiment, the T tabs and slots of the slotted frame member include an about flat rectangular cross section.

In yet another embodiment, the golf bag frame divider further includes at least one additional raised section of the frame raised above a plane of the internal frame members to provide the golf bag carrying handle member.

In yet another embodiment, the golf bag carrying handle member includes an ergonomic cover material softer than the golf bag carrying handle about which it is disposed.

In yet another embodiment, at least one internal frame member forms in whole, or in part combined with the frame member, an about trapezoidal opening golf club slot.

In yet another embodiment, the about trapezoidal opening golf club slot includes a slot adapted to accept a putter golf club.

In yet another embodiment, the ergonomic handle of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly includes an outer layer or covering material which is softer than the material of the frame.

In yet another embodiment, the ergonomic handle of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly includes at least one or at least one arch shape.

In yet another embodiment, the frame includes a metal.

In yet another embodiment, the frame or the ergonomic handled T tab assembly includes a plastic.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of the application will become more apparent from the following description and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the application can be better understood with reference to the drawings described below, and the claims. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an exploded view of an exemplary golf bag frame with an ergonomic handled T tab assembly and removable dividers according to the Application;

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing installation of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly set to a first pre-settable height position;

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing installation of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly set to a second pre-settable height position;

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing installation of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly set to a third pre-settable height position;

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing installation of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly set to a fourth pre-settable height position;

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an isometric view of three removable dividers above an exemplary golf bag frame according to the Application.

FIG. 7 is a drawing of the golf bag frame of FIG. 6 with the rightmost removable divider installed;

FIG. 8 is a drawing of the golf bag frame of FIG. 6 with the center and rightmost removable divider installed;

FIG. 9 is a drawing of the golf bag frame of FIG. 6 with all three removable dividers installed;

FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a side view of an exemplary ergonomic handled T tab assembly;

FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a latching knob assembly in a relaxed position;

FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a latching knob in an engaged stressed detent position;

FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an exemplary removable divider;

FIG. 14 is a drawing showing a more detailed view of a snap clip of the removable divider of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an exemplary snap clip socket;

FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a detailed view of the snap clip socket of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a top view of the golf bag frame of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One of the problems in storing and transporting golf clubs is how to best protect the drivers. Drivers typically have a longer shaft and larger or heavier golf head compared with other clubs and should be stored separately for best protection in the golf bag. However, the particular shaft lengths and head types vary. What is needed is an adjustable partition to best protect the drivers. Golfers also need to protect their hands from unnecessary injuries from adjustable parts of a golf bag, and the growing number of aging golfers means adjustments should be easy to make by all players including those older players. What is needed is an adjustable partition with an ergonomic handle without sharp edges and which is easy to adjust, and which once adjusted, will stay in place.

It was realized that a combination of a long ergonomic lifting handle combined with a series of elongated T tabs that slide within a corresponding series of T tab slots supplies a good adjustment friction. Moreover, by providing a series of detent notches on the outer edges of each of the outermost T tab slides, it was realized that a series of settable heights can be made more robust against undesired movement. These solutions were found to be particularly suitable for integration into a frame to be installed on top of a golf bag.

Another problem in golf bags with fixed golf club slots, is that permanent internal dividers preclude access for retrieval of a part or component in the bag, or reconfiguration of the golf club slots if a wider slot is needed or desired. It was realized that dividers in one direction which can be snapped in place allow for such flexibility. Moreover, a soft covering can be added to make the removable dividers more ergonomic for easier removal or placement.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an exploded view of an exemplary golf bag frame 100, a golf bag frame divider according to the Application. Ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 includes an ergonomic handle 111. By pulling or pushing on ergonomic handle 111, ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 slidingly moves within slotted frame member 131 of golf bag frame 100 to a desired selectable height. Ergonomic handle 111 can have a curve shape as shown in FIG. 1, and optionally, an outer layer or covering material which can be softer than the material of the frame member. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 includes first outer T tab 113, four T tabs 117 and second outer T tab 115. All of the T tabs can experience any suitable level of friction while being slidingly moved within corresponding slots 133 disposed between separating sections 135 of the slotted frame member 131. The T tabs and slots of the slotted frame member can have an about flat rectangular cross section. One or more end stop latches 121 can allow for the initial sliding installation of the Ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 into the slotted frame member 131 while preventing or at least discouraging accidental removal of the Ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 beyond an uppermost adjustment position.

At least one additional raised section of said frame member can be raised above a plane of said internal frame members to provide a golf bag carrying handle member. Two such golf bag handles are shown in the figures. The golf bag carrying handle members (e.g. FIG. 17, 815) can also be covered in an ergonomic material softer than said golf bag carrying handle about which it is disposed.

FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a side view of an exemplary ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110. Each of the T tabs are elongated flat tabs which are mechanically coupled to the ergonomic handle 111. The T tabs include, first outer T tab 113, four T tabs 117 and second outer T tab 115. The notches 119 (detent positions which, for example, can have an about half circle shape) are disposed in any suitable linear or non-linear spacing to provide pre-settable height positions of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110. While four about equally spaced notches 119 are shown on either outer edge of both first outer T tab 113 and second outer T tab 115 (outer T tab outer edges), any suitable number of notches N can be used in any suitable equidistant or non-equidistant spacing including any combination thereof. The ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 has a slidably adjustable height, adjacent to at least one golf club slot.

Adjustment positions are realized by the T tab notches on the outermost edges of both of first outer T tab 113 and second outer T tab 115. At any particular selectable height of Ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110, detent latching knobs 141 drop into corresponding notches 119 to further hold the Ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 at the desired height. Notches 119 prevent accidental or inadvertent changes in the desired set height of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110. By applying sufficient force to the Ergonomic handled 111, the detent latching knobs 141 are released from the corresponding notches 119, allowing the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 to be set to a different lower or higher desired height. The various selectable heights of ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 are preset at time of manufacture by the various location of notches 119 on the outermost edges of both of first outer T tab 113 and second outer T tab 115. Any suitable spacing (linear or non-linear) of notches 119 can be used to locate the pre-set selectable positions of height for the Ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110. More generally, at least one detent mechanism can engage at least one notch to hold the ergonomic handled T tab assembly at a selectable pre-set height above said frame member.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show more detail of how the detent latching knobs 141 engage with corresponding notches 119 to set a desired selectable height of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110. FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a latching knob and detent spring assembly 139 (an exemplary detent mechanism) in a relaxed position before installation of the sliding ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110. The latching knob and detent spring assembly 139 is visible through a window 137 in the slotted frame member 131. FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a latching knob and detent spring assembly 139 in an engaged stressed detent position disposed within a notch 119 following installation and height selection of the sliding Ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110. In the exemplary embodiments of the Application, there are a pair of latching knobs on both sides of the slotted frame member 131 where the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 slides into the slotted frame member 131. The latching knobs 141 serve as detent mechanisms to set and hold pre-determined (by the locations of notches 110) height positions of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110.

Latching knob and detent spring assembly 139 can be of a straight arm or a double bent type arm. As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, an exemplary double bent type arm detent spring includes a latching arm elbow 145 disposed between a fixed mounted arm 143, and the latching knob 141.

FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 are a series of drawings showing the progression of installation of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 from where the end stop latches 121 clear a lower surface of the slotted frame member 131, through two different exemplary settable heights, through full retraction of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 where the ergonomic handle 111 rests near or on a top surface of the slotted frame member 131.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing installation of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 from where a pair of end stop latches 121 (both sides) clears a lower surface of the slotted frame member 131 and where the pair of detent latching knobs, 141 (both sides) are disposed within a first notch 119 at a first selectable height position. FIG. 3 is a drawing showing installation of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 where pair of latching knobs 141 (both sides) are disposed within a second pair of notches 119 at a second selectable height position. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing installation of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 where pair of latching knobs 141 (both sides) are disposed within a third pair of notches 119 at a third selectable height position. FIG. 5 is a drawing showing installation of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 where pair of latching knobs 141 (both sides) are disposed within a fourth pair of notches 119 at a fourth selectable fully retracted height position.

FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a top view of an exemplary golf bag frame 100 according to the Application. Frame 910 having an outer frame part (the perimeter) combined with ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 and the slotted frame member 131, and fixed internal frame members 1803, 1805 define golf club slots 1, 2, and 3 which can accept respectively, three different driver golf clubs of the allowed 14 golf clubs for a regulation game of golf Note also that a curve along the top edge of the ergonomic handle 111 can accommodate slightly different shaft lengths in positions 1 and 3 for a given height setting of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110. The curved shape can be any suitable rounded shape including one or multiple curves or arch shapes. Typically, each of the golf club slots receives a different golf club.

Also, visible in FIG. 17 are bag handles 815, and slot 14 defined by an about trapezoidal member 710. Slot 14 can be used, for example, to receive a putter golf club. The ridges and troughs, or otherwise patterned areas of ergonomic handle 111, bag handles 815, and trapezoidal member 710 indicate where a relatively soft material and/or textured material, such as, for example, a relatively soft plastic can be used over the typically harder metal or plastic of frame 910. Such relatively soft material (i.e. softer than said frame) and/or textured material can be applied by any suitable method, such as, for example, by wrapping, molding, or sliding over or onto the frame member, internal frame member, trapezoidal shaped opening, and/or at least one frame part extending above a plane defined by the internal frame members for use as a golf bag handle. Typically, at least one internal frame member forms in whole, or in part combined with said frame member, an about trapezoidal opening golf club slot. Exemplary fixed internal frame members 1801 (1801 a, 1801 b), 1803, and 1805 of frame 910 can be seen in FIG. 17.

Turning back to FIG. 1, removable dividers 610 can be seen to snap into snap clip sockets 1500. Removable dividers 610 typically snap into a pair of snap clip sockets 1500, one snap clip socket attached to an internal frame member (e.g. slotted frame member 131), and the other to another different internal frame member (e.g. internal frame member 1801 b). By use of a notch (e.g. notch opening 614) in each of the removable dividers 610, in some embodiments, removable dividers 610 can traverse a third internal frame member (e.g. internal frame member 1801 a).

Snap clip sockets 1500 can be located at desired positions along the side walls of both of slotted frame member 131 and internal frame member 1801 b. Removable dividers 610 can be covered by a relatively soft material and/or textured material, such as, for example, a relatively soft plastic can be used over the typically harder metal or plastic of frame 910 for a better ergonomic grip. For example, a soft material overlay disposed over a removable divider 610 can provide an ergonomic grabbing surface.

FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an exemplary removable divider 610. Removable divider 610 has at either end a snap clip socket 1500 and an about rectangular notch opening 614 is defined by angled walls 613. Notch opening 614 corresponds to an internal frame member 1801 a and slides over the top of the internal frame member 1801 a shown in FIG. 6. The engagement of notch opening 614 over internal frame member 1801 a can further stabilize and strengthen both of the internal frame member 1801 a and the removeable divider 610.

FIG. 14 is a drawing showing a more detailed view of a snap clip 620 of the removable divider 610 of FIG. 13. Each snap clip 620 includes a base section 621, a pair of snap clip arms 623 and a pair of latches 625. An inner snap clip wall 627 defines a compression opening within the snap clip arms 623 and a pair of latches 625 can compress into on insertion or removal of a removeable divider from a snap clip socket 1500 (e.g. FIG. 15). As will be better understood hereinbelow, a snap clip longitudinal space 631 is defined by the snap clip 620 face on one side and the end face 633 of the divider on the other side fits over a part of the snap clip socket 1500 on insertion. Block 629 (e.g. a square, rectangular, or an angled wall block) further bolsters and adds support for better rigidity of both of the snap clip 620 and the end portion (end face 633) of the removeable divider 610. Block 629 is typically disposed between the end face 633 of the divider and the base section 621 of the snap clip 620.

FIG. 15 is a drawing which shows a perspective view of an exemplary snap clip socket 1500 which is typically, but not necessarily disposed at an equal spacing along the side walls of both of slotted frame member 131 and internal frame members 1801.

FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a detailed view of the snap clip socket 1500 of FIG. 15. In the exemplary embodiment, U shaped socket face portion 1501 is supported at a distance from a sides wall surface of either of slotted frame member 131 or an internal frame member (e.g. internal frame member 1801 b) by angled socket struts 1544. The angled socket strut inner walls 1523 define a first socket opening 1525 which is adapted to receive the pair of snap clip arms 623 and pair of latches 625 of a snap clip 620. The U shaped socket face inner walls 1513 define a second socket opening 1513 which is adapted to receive the block 629 of the removeable divider 610. When a removable divider 610 is inserted or removed from a snap clip socket 1500, the pair of snap clip arms 623 and pair of latches 625 of a snap clip 620 compress as they travel through the first socket opening 1525. On full insertion of a removable divider 610 into a snap clip socket 1500, the snap clip arms 623 and pair of latches 625 of a snap clip 620 expand apart where the latches 625 fill a latch space 1535 defined by the lower walls of each angled socket struts 1544 and the back lower walls of each U shaped socket face portion 1501. After the snap clip arms 623 and pair of latches 625 of a snap clip 620 expand apart to fill the latch spaces 1535, the removeable divider is snapped in place into the snap clip socket 1500.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an isometric view of three removable dividers 610 above an exemplary golf bag frame 100. The three removable dividers 610 are adapted as described hereinabove, to snap into six corresponding snap clip sockets 1500 on the side walls of slotted frame member 131 and internal frame member 1801 a. The snap clip sockets 1500 on the side walls of internal frame member 1801 a are not visible in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a drawing of golf bag frame 100 of FIG. 6 with the rightmost divider 610 installed. FIG. 8 is a drawing of golf bag frame 100 of FIG. 6 with the center and rightmost divider 610 installed. FIG. 9 is a drawing of golf bag frame 100 of FIG. 6 with all three dividers 610 installed.

A golf bag frame as described hereinabove can be affixed or mounted to a golf bag in any suitable way using any suitable adhesives, glues, troughs, ridges, slots, and/or fasteners. It is also unimportant what material or materials the golf bag is made from.

It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf bag frame divider for a top of a golf bag comprising: a frame with internal frame members and at least one slotted frame member, said internal frame members and said slotted frame member define a plurality of golf club slots, each golf club slot to receive a different golf club; an ergonomic handled T tab assembly with a slidably adjustable height disposed adjacent to at least one of said golf club slots, said ergonomic handled T tab assembly comprising: an ergonomic handle, a first outer T tab mechanically coupled to said ergonomic handle, said first outer T tab having a series of notches along a first outer T tab outer edge, a second outer T tab mechanically coupled to said ergonomic handle, said second outer T tab having another series of notches along a said second outer T tab outer edge, and disposed between said first outer T tab and second outer T tab a plurality of T tabs; and at least one detent mechanism to engage at least one notch to hold said ergonomic handled T tab assembly at a selectable pre-set height above said frame member.
 2. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said ergonomic handled T tab assembly is adjacent to three of said golf club slots.
 3. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said golf club slots defined between said at least one slotted frame member and an outer frame part of said frame member are adapted to receive a driver golf club.
 4. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said at least one notch comprises an about half circle shape.
 5. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said detent mechanism comprises a latching knob.
 6. The golf bag frame divider of claim 5, wherein said latching knob is disposed at an end of a latching arm.
 7. The golf bag frame divider of claim 5, wherein said latching knob comprises a plastic.
 8. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said detent mechanism comprises a latching knob and detent spring assembly.
 9. The golf bag frame divider of claim 8, wherein said detent spring assembly comprises a latching arm.
 10. The golf bag frame divider of claim 9, wherein said latching arm comprises a double bent latching arm with a latching arm elbow.
 11. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first outer T tab or said second outer T tab comprises an end stop latch to prevent an accidental removal of said ergonomic handled T tab assembly from said slotted frame member.
 12. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said T tabs and slots of said slotted frame member comprise an about flat rectangular cross section.
 13. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional raised section of said frame raised above a plane of said internal frame members to provide the golf bag carrying handle member.
 14. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said golf bag carrying handle member comprises an ergonomic cover material softer than said golf bag carrying handle about which it is disposed.
 15. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, comprising at least one internal frame member forming in whole, or in part combined with said frame member, an about trapezoidal opening golf club slot.
 16. The golf bag frame divider of claim 15, wherein said about trapezoidal opening golf club slot comprises a slot adapted to accept a putter golf club.
 17. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said ergonomic handle of said ergonomic handled T tab assembly comprises an outer layer or covering material which is softer than the material of the frame.
 18. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said ergonomic handle of said ergonomic handled T tab assembly comprises at least one or at least one arch shape.
 19. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a metal.
 20. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said frame or said ergonomic handled T tab assembly comprises a plastic. 